The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) celebrated its 95th Foundation Day today at National Agriculture Science Complex, Pusa, New Delhi.
Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and President of ICAR Society was the Chief Guest of the program. Shri Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry – Dairying and Shri Kailash Choudhary, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare also graced the occasion.
Shri Tomar appreciated the historic journey of ICAR and its overall achievements during the last 94 years. He exhorted that India is a surplus nation in terms of food grains and providing food to 80 crore people of the country. With the encouragement of Prime Minister, new technology in agriculture has been promoted through various new mission programs for the benefit of farmers. Agricultural products from India are being preferred globally and millets are getting significance in the International Year of Millets, he added. This is happening because of sincere efforts of farmers and scientists. The Minister said exports earning from agricultural and horticultural product have crossed 50 billion US dollar. He informed that Government is giving emphasis on organic farming and natural farming and a separate mission has been initiated with budget provision of Rs.1500 crore for promotion of eco-friendly agriculture. Further, he lauded the scientists and farmers for their great service to the nation in making the country not only self-sufficient in many commodities but also becoming exporter of food items.
Shri Rupala acclaimed ICAR for several remarkable achievements which have revolutionized the dairy and fisheries sector. He further mentioned that the time has come to earn carbon credits from agriculture which can be explored for additional income. He also inaugurated an exhibition showcasing innovative technologies developed by 113 ICAR research institute.
Shri Choudhary shared his views on the occasion and appreciated ICAR. He further mentioned that after 5 years ICAR will complete 100 years and this is the right time to strategize to set milestones for advancement in agriculture to be achieved in centenary year.
Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary (DARE) and Director General (ICAR) said that unprecedented growth in the agriculture sector has been recorded. He emphasised that India is not only self-sufficient in the production of food grains, but are also exporting agriculture and agricultural products in large quantities. In his presentation, he highlighted about the achievement made by ICAR such as development of 346 varieties of food grains, 99 varieties of horticulture crops, mapping of efficient cropping system zones, fertigation schedule for 24 crops, 28 new equipment’s and machineries, corona virus and lumpi disease vaccines, new diagnostics, breeding protocol of new fish breeds, conduction of 47088 on farm trials and 2.99 lakh front line demonstration on new technologies. He also mentioned that 58 patents and 711 technology licencing agreements were signed by agriculture scientist from different industries. In order to promote agriculture innovations for commercialization, Scientist-Industry interface meetings are also organized as side event.
Earlier Shri Sanjay Garg, Additional Secretary (DARE) & Secretary ICAR delivered welcome address.
Members of the ICAR Governing Body, Senior Officials of ICAR Head Quarters, Directors of ICAR Institutes, Scientists and Vice-Chancellors of State Agricultural Universities, farmers, agri-preneurs participated in the event.
This is first time, the Foundation day is celebrated as Technology day, therefore, an exhibition has been organized to show case ICAR technologies for the benefit of farmers, students and agri-industry. This exhibition has been opened for public from 16-18 July, 2023 for awareness to the people about the innovations made by ICAR.